TRADITIONAL MYSORE ASHTANGA
SANTA BARBARA, CA.

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General recommendations:

-Practice with an empty stomach. don't drink water during or just after practicing. If you have a specific condition other than too much mind and not enough heart, inform me about it but check with your doctor for any adverse side effects. I am not a doctor and don't know the cure..

-Come bathed and wear clean, light clothing suitable for indoor physical activity. Bring a towel with you if you sweat a lot. Avoid wearing jewelry and watches. And please, avoid wearing perfume, creams or oils. We like it "au naturel"..

-Don't be afraid to sweat profusely. It is part of the cleansing and purifying process. The tradition even recommends rubbing the sweat back into your skin after practice rather than wiping it off.

-Don't be afraid to feel tired and experience difficulties. Direct your attention on the breathing and don't aim for external perfection as you do the asanas (postures). Observe the movements of the mind without implication or judgment. Ask yourself how it feels and smile often..

Mysore style practice:

-the one and only way of practicing ashtanga as it keeps your attention centered and turned inward rather than toward an external crutch (aka. 'teacher'). It also empowers you into an responsible independent yogi as the sequence gets memorized and the habit of daily practice imprinted overtime. Eventually you become your own teacher and you can stop paying me...

-You don't need to be flexible or know the sequence in order to begin.
The practice will teach you gradually and I, as a friend, am here to help.

-For the mysore system to work you need to commit to practicing at least 3 times per week in order to build upon the previous sessions and imprint the sequence in the body. This is why we don't recommend occasional drop-ins. You do.. or you don't!

-Yoga practice is very similar to gardening: To grow well the human plant requires daily love and attention. Changes are so slow and subtle they are barely noticeable. A strong foundation in the internal principles (breathing, bandhas and drishtis) are the roots that give strength and grace to the practice. Finally, when all the preparatory work is done, the gardener sits back and watches the plant grow
on it 's own...

-Treat your body as you would a friend: with respect and care. Put on your adventurer cap, open your mind's eye and explore your inner landscape. Listen for the silence behind the experience.

In a nutshell :
1. Have fun.
2. ask yourself how it feels.
3. Breathe slow and deep.